Across France, a powerful movement is taking shape—one that supports women and girls at every stage of their journey, from the classroom to entrepreneurship, from professional advancement to executive leadership and governance. The International Women’s Chamber of Commerce – France (IWCOC-France), in partnership with the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GHWCC), is bringing together women leaders, entrepreneurs, companies, institutions, and communities with a shared purpose: to accelerate opportunity, expand leadership, and strengthen economic ties between France and the United States.
At the core of IWCOC-France’s mission is the belief that women’s advancement must be supported throughout the entire continuum of life and leadership. That means inspiring young girls to dream boldly, helping students access education and careers of the future, supporting women entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs as they build and grow, and preparing accomplished women professionals to move into the highest levels of decision-making.
Founded through the vision and international reach of the GHWCC—the largest women’s chamber of commerce in the United States, representing more than 1,300 member businesses—IWCOC-France is a French association dedicated to empowering women through education, mentorship, business development, visibility, and leadership access. Its mission is both local and global: to open doors for the next generation while advancing women already leading, building, innovating, and transforming industries today.
Equality of opportunity begins early, but it does not end there. It begins in schools, priority neighborhoods, rural communities, and the moments when a young girl is encouraged to believe that science, technology, business, leadership, and entrepreneurship are open to her. It continues in companies, institutions, and boardrooms where women must be supported, promoted, and represented in the decisions that shape the economy and society.
Through programs focused on education, STEAM careers, mentoring, scholarships, internships, and professional discovery, IWCOC-France seeks to open doors for young girls from underserved communities and rural areas. Its initiatives introduce students to the careers of tomorrow, connect them with inspiring role models, and help remove financial and social barriers to higher education and career success.
“Women’s leadership is not only about today’s executives—it is about the full pathway of opportunity, from a young girl discovering her potential to a woman entrepreneur growing her business or an executive stepping into governance,” said Suzan Deison, CEO, President and Founder of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce. “With IWCOC-France, we are building an international bridge that supports women at every stage. We invite companies, institutions, and women leaders across France to join us in creating pathways for girls and women to rise, lead, and transform the world.”
IWCOC-France also supports women who are creating businesses, growing companies, or advancing within major organizations. Through training, networking, access to resources, visibility, and mentorship, the Chamber encourages entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship as powerful engines of economic growth. By connecting French women leaders with an international network, IWCOC-France creates opportunities for collaboration, investment, innovation, and shared success.
A major priority of IWCOC-France is advancing women into positions of leadership and governance. In alignment with the ambitions of France’s Rixain law, which calls for stronger representation of women in executive committees, management boards, and decision-making bodies, IWCOC-France is committed to helping organizations identify, prepare, and elevate talented women leaders. Through mentoring, governance education, leadership development, and strategic networking, the Chamber supports women on the path to Comex, Codir, and board-level influence.
For businesses, partnering with IWCOC-France is an opportunity to create measurable impact. Corporate partners can support scholarships, Business English programs, academic coaching, STEAM pathways, internships, mentoring, leadership programs, and initiatives that prepare young women and professionals for a global economy. These partnerships are not only acts of social responsibility—they are investments in talent, innovation, inclusion, and the future of economic leadership.
“IWCOC-France is more than a network; it is a catalyst for transformation,” said Soumia Malinbaum, IWCOC-France Strategic Consultant & Paris Liaison. “France has extraordinary women of talent, courage, and vision. Our role is to connect them, support them, and help create the conditions for every girl and every woman—whether in a city neighborhood, a rural community, a company, or an institution—to believe in her potential and achieve it.”
IWCOC-France acts at the intersection of local ecosystems and international networks. Its annual women’s conference, recognition programs, STEAM leadership initiatives, mentoring opportunities, and business partnerships are designed to celebrate achievement while creating practical pathways for advancement.
The message is clear: when girls are educated, women are supported, and leaders are connected, entire economies become stronger. Equality is not achieved through one program or one moment. It is built link by link—through education, mentorship, entrepreneurship, corporate commitment, and access to leadership.
IWCOC-France invites women professionals, entrepreneurs, executives, companies, educators, institutions, and allies to join this growing movement. Whether as a member, mentor, sponsor, partner, speaker, or advocate, every person and organization has a role to play.
Together, we can inspire the next generation, advance women in business and leadership, and strengthen the bridge between France and the United States.
Together, we can open doors that were once closed.
Together, we can build a future where every girl and every woman has the opportunity to rise.